RivCo Man Accused Of Impersonating Hospital Staff To Steal $100K Of Medical Equipment

PALM DESERT, CA — A man was arrested after he was accused of impersonating staff at a hospital in Rancho Mirage to steal more than $100,000 worth of medical supplies, authorities said.

Jason Brauner, a 47-year-old resident of San Jacinto, was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of multiple charges, including grand theft, commercial burglary and possession of stolen property, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

On July 9, around 3:30 p.m., deputies responded to a hospital in the 35000 block of Bob Hope Drive regarding a theft of medical equipment. During the investigation, deputies identified the suspect as Brauner, who was captured on security footage wearing blue scrubs and a surgical mask to blend in with hospital personnel, the department said.

Over three separate incidents in June and July, deputies say Brauner stole thousands of dollars' worth of surgical equipment and skin grafts while disguised.

On Wednesday, deputies spotted Brauner's vehicle traveling southbound toward San Diego when deputies in the area stopped him in Del Mar. After a search of his vehicle turned up stolen medical equipment and stolen hospital scrubs, Brauner was detained.

That same day, deputies, along with the Palm Desert Business District Team, served a search warrant at Brauner's home. There, officials say they found more stolen medical supplies valued between $10,000 and $25,000.

Deputies later learned that hospitals in Loma Linda and Newport Beach had been targeted in similar thefts. Brauner was identified as the suspect in those jurisdictions as well, officials said. Multiple agencies are in the process of filing additional charges related to those incidents, the department said, adding that there may be additional victims.

Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact Deputy Marco Castaneda at the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station at 760-836–1600.